Chapter 11

Hattie

Hattie woke up with a start. She sat up as light was streaming through her window. How had she gotten to bed? Last thing she remembered, she had been resting her head on Joshua’s strong shoulder in the back of the surrey. She slid out of bed, only to realize that someone had removed her gown and put her in a long flannel nightgown.

She was overwhelmed at the love her fellow mail-order brides had continued to shower her with. They refused to take their clothing back after the wedding, and now someone had given her a nightgown. She quickly dressed in one of her simple work dresses and was about to wander out into the main part of the house, when there was a knock on her bedroom door.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Lyla slipped inside, closing the door behind her.

“Good morning, Lyla.”

Lyla ran over to her and wrapped her arms around Hattie. “Oh Hattie, I’m in trouble.”

Hattie wrapped her arms around the other woman. “Now, calm down, Lyla. It can’t be that bad, we’ve only been here a day.”

“But it is bad.” Lyla wept. “I’m in love!!”

Hattie smiled and chuckled. “That’s not a bad thing, after all, you came here to get married. Falling in love is a good thing.”

“No, you don’t understand. I came here to be courted by Glenn.”

“Yes, I know. So what’s the problem?”

“He isn’t who I fell in love with.”

“He isn’t?”

“No.”

“Well, if not him, then who?”

“That’s what makes it so bad. Glenn didn’t come meet me at the depot, you know. He was busy plowing the field or something. The first time I saw him was last night. He was handsome, but he’s so stern and boring. He doesn’t dance and doesn’t talk much. We mostly spent last night sitting quietly. There just wasn’t anything there, no spark, no attraction.”

“Okay, well, maybe you just need more time to get to know him better. You told me that Myrtle warned you he was shy.”

“I know, but Greg escorted me to the house from the stage yesterday. He is so handsome and so exciting. We talked the whole way here and last night we danced, when Glenn said it was okay. I know I promised to court Glenn, but all I can think about is Greg, his brother.”

“Oh, well, yes, that is a problem, isn’t it? Let’s go sit in my parlor.”

The two went into the room and Hattie settled into a rocking chair she’d noticed yesterday. Lyla went to the high-backed chair next to it.

“Now, let me ask you a question. Why did you agree to come out here and let Glenn court you in the first place?”

“Oh, several things. The way he described the town and the farm. They seemed so warm and inviting. His love for his mom and concern for her. He seemed sweet and kind and responsible. He talked about wanting a family and someone to come home to at night, who would be part of his life. Who he could share his dreams and fears with. Who he could pray with. All of those were things I wanted in a husband, as well.”

“I see. Has that changed?”

Lyla frowned, “What do you mean?”

“You just told me that what he wanted in a spouse, is what you wanted in a spouse. Has that changed? Is that still what you want in a husband?”

“I don’t know.” Lyla whispered, hanging her head.

“I’ve never asked you this, but how old are you?”

“Eighteen.”

“Have you ever courted anyone before?”

“No.”

“Have you even had a gentleman call on you at all?”

“No.”

“Then, how do you know what you want in a husband?”

She looked up at Hattie. “Because, I want what my parents have.”

Hattie nodded. “And those things that Glenn said he wants, that’s what your parents have?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Don’t they have love?”

“Of course they do, why would you ask that?”

Hattie stopped rocking and leaned toward the other woman. “Because, not all marriages do, you know. One reason the place I lived in for the last nine years was so busy, is because a lot of marriages don’t have love or even intimacy. Now, you said you want what your parents have in their marriage and that includes love, doesn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“But you didn’t mention that when you told me what you or Glenn wanted out of marriage, did you?”

“Well, no, but I just assumed that was a given.”

“But it isn’t. You and Glenn haven’t discussed if you want love in a marriage at all. Lyla, you aren’t being fair to either of you. You came here to accept Glenn’s suit of courtship.

“You haven’t been here a day. You haven’t allowed time to court him or to see if there might be love available to you with him. Lyla you haven’t even found out if he wants love to be part of his marriage.

“You allowed physical attraction and excitement to distract you. I’m not saying that Glenn is your future, but don’t you owe him a chance to see if he is? Don’t you owe yourself that chance, as well?”

Lyla was thoughtful for a few minutes and Hattie let her have time to think. While the girl was contemplating what she had said, Hattie went into her room and finished getting ready for the day. As she buttoned up her shoes, Lyla came into the room again.

“You’re right, Hattie. I do owe it to myself, and Glenn, to explore what could be. To do any less, would be disloyal to him and myself. Thank you.”

Hattie smiled at the girl. “You’re welcome.”

The girl started to leave the room, when Hattie called out, “Lyla, if Greg is who God chose for you, then you’ll figure that out as well. Pray and ask Him to show you His plan. I’ll be praying for you, too.”

The younger girl turned back around and hugged Hattie. “I’m so glad God sent you here with us. I don’t think I could do this without your love and help.”

Then Lyla turned and bounced out of the room, her lighter spirit reflected in her walk. Hattie moved to the dining room with the rest of the brides, as Helen placed platters of pancakes and bacon on the table, along with syrup, honey and fruit jams. Then Helen set a couple of pots of coffee in the center and a pitcher of milk.

As Helen turned to go back into the kitchen for something else, she called out to Hattie. “Could you join me in the kitchen for a moment? I need to talk to you about something.”

Hattie followed her into the kitchen. Helen smiled at her. “I don’t want to upset you, but Josephine talked to me yesterday before she left. I know you don’t have what you need, clothing wise, to survive winter here in Montana, let alone pay court to Joshua. So, I talked with a friend of mine yesterday, who has donated some funds to get you outfitted. After breakfast is over, and the dishes done, I want us all to go shopping and for you to get what you need. I have a list of what I know you need. Look it over and add anything else to it.”

Hattie was shocked and tears sprang to her eyes. “Helen, I’m not a charity case, you know.”

“I know it. You’re a young woman, without a family. One who was made to work for nine years with little to show for it. You are courting our pastor and you need to be dressed accordingly. This isn’t charity, Hattie. These girls care for you. I care for you and even if you think it’s wrong, Joshua cares for you, too. You need clothing and we want to help you pick it out. So, no more fussing and no cutting cost, either. They gave me enough to outfit you in style. They told me to encourage you to get what you need and anything else you see that you want.”

“Alright.”

“Good. Now, let’s go eat and let the girls know it’s time for a shopping trip.”

Hattie laughed. “Yes, all the way to next door.”

“Hey, I can tell you that Papa’s store has everything you could need, and if we don’t, we can look in the catalogs and order it. We should probably bring some of them here tonight, anyway. If you marry my cousin, you will need to order just about everything to set up house. I’ll have to take you to the parsonage sometime to see what I mean. It is very much what you’d expect of a single man who is used to living off the back of a horse to own.”

“What do you mean, off the back of a horse? Was he a circuit preacher before coming here?”

“No. Before he became a pastor, he was the youngest Texas Ranger to wear the badge.”

“Oh. I didn’t know that.”

“Well, it isn’t who he is anymore, but there are a few things he still has ingrained in him. Joshua’s jumpy when startled. He is always on the lookout for threats. He has a very defined sense of justice, and he wants to protect people. Like I said, not all bad, but he also still lives like he might have to move on at a moment’s notice. He eats with us, or at the diner, so I’m sure there aren’t any dishes or cooking utensils in his house. He will be a challenge at first.”

“Well, I guess that will depend on if I marry him, or if he waits on my friend, Haddie.”

Helen stopped and turned toward Hattie. “I’m going to tell you this, only because you need to know it. He and I talked yesterday. Joshua has no intention of courting your friend, even if she comes out here. He told me he plans to marry you.”

“But...”

Helen held out a stack of plates to her. “I know. I know what you’re going to say. It isn’t fair. He was writing to her and, if she hadn’t gotten sick, he’d be courting her. But she did get sick. She isn’t here and you are, and if you repeat what I’m about to tell you, I’ll deny having ever said it. He took one look at you and forgot all about her.”